JUSTSEA Foundation — Colombia (2019)

AZA-SAFE Grant Recipient

© JUSTSEA Foundation

© JUSTSEA Foundation

Fisheries bycatch is considered the greatest threat to sea turtle populations globally. Although many efforts have sought to understand and minimize sea turtle bycatch, active participation of stakeholders in the process is lacking, especially in developing countries. To address this issue in Colombia, JUSTSEA began a project in 2016 to evaluate the nature, frequency, and impacts of fishing interactions with leatherback turtles, and to establish collaborative relationships with fishermen to promote data sharing and the implementation of fishing practices that minimize sea turtle interactions and increase sea turtle survival post-release. With a 2019 SWOT grant, JUSTSEA will lead workshops to raise awareness of leatherback turtle bycatch within the fishing community and will continue their collaborative fisheries observer program.